BANDS TO WATCH IN 2018!

“Where are all of the future festival headliners?”, everyone always asks. Well, we’ve highlighted a range of new bands in rock, punk, metal, hardcore, indie, and more for a definitive list of who to keep your eye on in 2018. With hundreds of shows and festivals planned around record releases, this year is already looking hot for new talent, and, although it’ll take a lot to rival the heights that 2017 got to, we here at DEAD PRESS! are confident 2018 has the potential.

We’ve picked out a whole bunch of brand new bands like Dream State and Greta Van Fleet as just some of the artists who will have a year to remember, and who we think are going to break through to the masses. Why not get there before everyone else does? Then you can gloat about how long you’ve been a fan before everyone else.

Have a read below to see who else our writers are predicting will be the bands that will be scene staples of the future.

We’ve also whipped a playlist together, with a track from each of the bands that we’ve featured so you can get more accustomed to some fresh talent whilst you read about them.

BRONNIE

FOR FANS OF:
All Time Low / Avril Lavigne / 5 Seconds Of Summer

Liverpool based singer/songwriter Bronnie Hughes may well be the UK’s answer to those wanting their fix of some old school ‘Complicated’ and ‘Sk8r Boi’ era Avril Lavigne. Writing and putting together songs since 2015, self-releasing a bunch of singles and an EP so far, and also supporting pop superstars Little Mix, Bronnie has achieved an awful lot in such a short time.

What’s the plan for 2018? Well, in January, Bronnie is heading out on her own headline UK tour, hitting cities up and down the country, and shortly after that she’ll be releasing yet another EP, titled ‘Get A Grip’. You can bet before the year is up that she’ll be getting a firm grip onto the world of pop-punk and pop-rock, and, with any luck, she’ll be filling up major radio airwaves too. [ZR]

CONQUER DIVIDE

FOR FANS OF:
The Word Alive / Asking Alexandria / Memphis May Fire

All-girl bands within the heavy music community are hard to come by, but Conquer Divide are most certainly here to conquer any existing beliefs that they can’t hit just as hard as any other metalcore act. They’ve even had hands at helping out several different acts in the scene write their material, including The Plot In You, Annisokay, Miss May I, and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!.

The primarily Memphis based outfit (though members have also come from the UK and even Serbia) sadly haven’t had a chance to make an noteworthy impression on UK shores just yet – though they were once nominated for a Kerrang! Award back in 2015 – but 2018 could well change that. There’s some footage scattered online posted by the members of them working on a sophomore record to follow-up their 2015 self-titled debut, and we can’t wait to finally hear it. [ZR]

DEAD HANDS

FOR FANS OF:
Cancer Bats / Nails / The Chariot

Formed from the ashes of Sexwolf!, fresh-faced Midlands based quartet Dead Hands are very much still in their infancy, but their skills of splicing an oozing concoction of hardcore, mathcore, and a bit of punk rock for good measure have certainly set them shooting out of the gate. That, alongside an energetic live show.

They’ve already got an EP under their belt called ‘Nobody Exists On Purpose’, which you should definitely start feeding your ears with right away. Why? Well, there’ll be some new music on the way in 2018 no doubt, and with plans to start touring further across the UK, Europe, and pretty much anywhere else that’ll have ’em, it’s nice to be prepared. Right? [ZR]

DIVIDE

FOR FANS OF:
PVRIS / Vukovi / The Xcerts

There’s a lot of talent coming out of Scotland right now, and Glasgow’s Divide are no exception. They’ve undergone numerous line-up changes, but now have ex-Yashin guitarist Connor Macleod and new vocalist Nicole Mason on board, and have a received a bunch of hype from BBC Radio 1, Scuzz TV, and more. Not bad for an unsigned band, eh?

These guys are all about melodic hooks, catchy choruses, and powerhouse vocals, so if that’s your bag, you’ll want to check them out. They released their debut EP ‘Embers’ in November, and there’s a UK tour all lined-up for February too. We’d bet you’ll see them on many festival line-ups come summer. [LC]

DREAM STATE

FOR FANS OF:
Hands Like Houses / Flyleaf / Too Close To Touch

Post-hardcore outfit Dream State unleashed their single ‘White Lies’ back in March, their newest material since their 2015 EP, ‘Consequences’. Nine months later, and the song now has over a staggering three million hits on YouTube. Following the single’s release, Dream State have had a stacked 2017 that’s included sharing the stage with the likes of Bury Tomorrow and Don Broco, and making their debut appearance at Reading & Leeds Festival.

This year has ended on a high note for the band, with the announcement that they’ve signed a worldwide deal with Australian heavy music label UFND. They’ve also been announced for 2018’s Download and The Great Escape festivals. With more new material bound to drop at some point next year get ready, as you’ll be seeing and hearing a lot more of these Welsh rockers in the future. [PC]

EAT YOUR HEART OUT

FOR FANS OF:
Stand Atlantic / Knuckle Puck / Movements

Australia has brought a number of bands in rock right to the top of the scene, and with Eat Your Heart Out, we may have yet have another bright newcomer to add to the ongoing list. Their big pop-punk hooks and the powerful voice of frontwoman Caitlin Henry has already seen the group tour with the likes of Trophy Eyes, Knuckle Puck, and Real Friends, and it seems that’ll be just the beginning for the down-under quintet.

2017 saw the band release EP ‘Carried Away’ before signing with big name label Fearless Records, and then dropping yet another EP in ‘Mind Games’ in December. Heading into 2018, the band will surely be touring, and, with any luck, give us keen listeners some new music to keep us wanting to hear more from one of Aussie’s best newcomers. [DT]

END.

FOR FANS OF:
Deafheaven / Norma Jean / Counterparts

In September, the mouth of hell opened up, and spat out unto the world one of the most disgustingly heavy supergroups that we’ve seen in… well, perhaps ever. Composed by members of Counterparts, Fit For An Autopsy, Misery Signals, Structures, and Reign Supreme, new big kids on the block END. sound very much like their namesake on their debut EP, ‘From The Unforgiving Arms Of God’.

Admittedly, keeping their plans as low-key as their introduction into our lives, END.‘s intended touring plans and further musical output is pretty much unknown. But, with such a slab of savage seduction into a realm that shows no light whatsoever, zero intent to bring END. to the masses on the road seems not only foolish, but also a complete uncertainty. Be warned, these guys are not for the faint-hearted. [ZR]

THE FEVER

FOR FANS OF:
letlive. / The Chariot / Stray From The Path

The hype around The Fever is phenomenal. Especially with a band with only a few live shows and three songs to their name. However, when you consider the band is fronted by Jason Butler (ex-letlive.) and completed by guitarist Stevis Harrison (ex-The Chariot) and drummer Aric Improta (Night Verses), you can start to put the pieces together.

There’s no news on a record release just yet, but when it drops it’s going to be all over social media, and all in our ears. This thing is going to cause havoc, just like everything else that Jason Butler and co. have done previously. [JE]

FUNERAL SHAKES

FOR FANS OF:
Weezer / Against Me! / Rocket From The Crypt

Put a melancholy smile on your face and dance your cares away. Funeral Shakes are a Watford based punk band formed from members of Nervus, Gallows, and The Smoking Hearts who are looking to take 2018 by storm. Having already released two explosive tunes in ‘Over You’ and ‘Lightning’, Funeral Shakes have come flying out of the blocks.

They write rock music with a tragic touch of the morbid; a bittersweet look at life. Perhaps guitarist Simon Barker sums up their philosophy best, “When would you ever want to hear a song about people who’ve lived happily ever after? Never! You want to listen to the negative stuff, all wrapped up in a happy tune.” Their debut self-titled album is due to come out February 16th. [CY]

FROM INSIDE

Liverpool metal band From Inside started 2017 with the release of their debut EP, ‘The New Era’, and following that spent the majority of the year touring alongside the likes of Amongst Thieves and Jack the Envious, gaining recognition and an increasing new fan base.

2018 is set to be no different. Teasing fans that their next EP is set to be released “soon”, From Inside are set to continue releasing music and touring as the year goes on, pushing their band to the forefront of the UK alternative scene. [HS]

GO PRIMITIVE

FOR FANS OF:
Arcane Roots / Lower Than Atlantis / Reuben

Go Primitive are a four piece alternative rock band from Warwickshire, UK merging prog-rock with an old school twist and plenty of attitude.

During their rise to success the band have released two EPs and gone on to play at major festivals and have been chosen to support the likes of Mallory Knox, We Are The Ocean, The Subways, Lonely The Brave, Hawthorne Heights, Terrorvision, Fort Hope and Yashin. Their new album ‘Choices’ is set for release in February, and new single ‘I Want More’ is out now, so we’re sure to see more of the huge riffs and infectious melodies in the year to come. [NB]

GRETA VAN FLEET

Michigan four-piece Greta Van Fleet are turning heads with their youthful take on the glory era rock n’ roll that continues the old school ethic that will grab the hearts of worldwide listeners. The 3 Kiszka brother and their childhood friend Danny Wagner are channelling Led Zeppelin in the best way we’ve heard in forever and both 2017 EPs ‘Black Smoke Rising’ and ‘From The Fires’ show huge potential for the band.

With YouTube views racking up by the millions and their first UK shows selling out very quickly, it would be advisable to check the availability of their upcoming tour in March and April. Greta Van Fleet are sure to be throwing music our way in 2018 and it would be a huge shock if we didn’t see A LOT of them before the year is through. Unmissable if you’re into classic rock. [MH]

HEXIS

FOR FANS OF:
Behemoth / Napalm Death / Oathbreaker

Performing 240 shows over the space of a year is an impressive feat for any band, and Denmark based dark/sludge metal outfit Hexis did just that in 2017. As a consequence, you can bet that topping it in 2018 is going to be beyond difficult, and the band themselves have already confirmed that this year will be a “less busy” one.

Still, in the same breath, they’ve also given us a heads up that, regardless, they still have some “really cool tours” in the making that are yet to be announced to us all, and their latest full-length ‘Tando Ashanti’ is a delightful aural onslaught. In a live setting, there’s nothing quite like having being in almost complete darkness with just a sole harrowing strobe light occasionally illuminating Filip Andersen pacing back and forth mere inches away whilst screaming in your face. [ZR]

LIFETIGHT

FOR FANS OF:
Obey The Brave / Hatebreed / Stray From The Path

Been listening to too many maudlin emo bands? Feel like you need to let off some steam? Do you just need waking up?! Well, then Crooked Noise‘s latest signing, Lifetight, are going to be right up your street.

Formed by ex-members of Lock & Key, No Honour, and Idols Of Apathy, the band released their debut EP ‘Self-Tightled’ back in November, and it’s a riotous affair from start-to-finish. There’s a full UK tour on the cards in February too, so it looks like these guys are set to tear the hardcore scene open in 2018. Don’t sleep. [LC]

LOTUS EATER

FOR FANS OF:
Emmure / Sworn In / The Acacia Strain

Gloom, doom, despair, and absolute dread are the best ways to describe up-and-coming British groove metal outfit Lotus Eater, who also have this aura of an enigma behind them. After a somewhat steady 2017, which saw the band drop their self-titled EP and tour and play alongside the likes of Loathe, Bad Omens, and Oceans Ate Alaska, they’re still very much in their infancy.

The band already have their sights set for a bigger and bolder 2018, kicking off the year with a support slot aside Traitors on their UK run. This, coupled with a message not too long ago from the band stating “2018 brings new music and change” and that “It will never stop”, you can bet that Lotus Eater are ones to keep your eyes on. [ZR]

MODERN ERROR

FOR FANS OF:
Capsize / Defeater / Counterparts

Hailing from Peterborough, melodic hardcore troupe Modern Error completely came out of the blue towards the latter end of 2017, formed from members of the currently inactive or completely defunct (it’s not entirely clear right now) In Archives, and, in just a few short months, they’re already making waves in the scene.

At the moment they only have two singles to their name, ‘Buried & Blue’ and ‘Funeral Verse’, and under this new guise they’re yet to perform their first live shows together until they support Holding Absence and Loathe on their co-headline UK tour in February/March. Yet, with a few live debuts of new songs on that run, you can bet we’ll be hearing a lot more from Modern Error in 2018. [ZR]

NEAUX

FOR FANS OF:
Nirvana / Hole / Basement

In 2017, New Jersey’s Neaux (pronounced “no”) released two albums, ‘Fell Off The Deep End’ in February and ‘Chain Up The Sun’ in October, which for a band of any degree or size is an impressive amount and speed for putting out material. So, it’s safe to assume we’ll be getting even more ear food from them in 2018.

You probably know both members of the duo from their other projects, with vocalist Sierra Kay once fronting the now defunct VersaEmerge and guitarist Nick Fit once being a member of Trash Talk. The two do all of the songwriting craft, bring along other members for their live shows, and we reckon you’d be a fool to say “no” to checking out Neaux now before everyone else does. [ZR]

PALE WAVES

FOR FANS OF:
The 1975 / The Cure / The Japanese House

If 2017 has seen Pale Waves grow like a seed from soil, then 2018 shall surely see them in bloom. The dreamy goth-pop quartet are the band-child of Matty Healy and George Daniel from The 1975, having signed Pale Waves to their same label, Dirty Hit, and taken them under their wing in the production of their upcoming 2018 debut release ‘New Years Eve’. With a sound not too dissimilar to their Mancunian counterparts, Pale Waves influence electronic elements with clever poppy hooks and a Healy-esque tendency of looking cool without much effort.

The band have already released four aesthetically moody singles ahead of this release and have gained many a watchful eye due to their powerful connections with Healy. The band also plan to release a full length album at some point within the next year, and with the rapid speed they seem to be growing thus far, they are one to keep your eye on. 2018 is going to be a huge year for Pale Waves, that’s for sure. [DT]

PARTING GIFT

FOR FANS OF:
Hands Like Houses / Emarosa / Saosin

After stepping down as the vocalist for Welsh post-hardcore/ambient rock outfit Holding Absence, frontman Zac Vernon went on to create a new band in Parting Gift, alongside members of other acts in the surrounding area of the North West of the UK, including Above The Underground and Skywalker.

So far, the band only have a few tracks to their name, at least that they’ve released, but they’ve already started pulling it what could potentially develop into a cult following and, when they finally release an EP or a full-length record, it’s a pretty sure fire guarantee that Parting Gift will be parting on to the upper echelons of the scene. [ZR]

SHIELDS

FOR FANS OF:
Bury Tomorrow / Volumes / Vanna

The last time we heard some new cuts from London’s Shields was back in 2015 with their ‘Guilt’ EP. A hectic and busy year in 2016 saw them jumping on every tour offer that came their way, wrapping up with a run supporting Ice Nine Kills, and, for the most part, 2017 saw them tucked away, working hard at writing and recording something new, and it seems they’ve been working on it for a while now.

Well, it’s almost time for us to all hear it, and, with the fanbase that they’ve set up so far, whether this new release is an EP or a full-length record, the band are gearing themselves up to make that push forward ahead of their contemporaries. They’ve already bagged a support slot with Escape The Fate to start 2018 off, and you can bet that this will be one of the first times we here the band debut some brand new cuts before we have a chance to feast on some finalised recordings. [ZR]

SMOTHER

FOR FANS OF:
Basement / Milk Teeth / Sunny Day Real Estate

Formed from a bunch of other now defunct bands, including Climates and Leopards, Manchester’s Smother introduced us with their grunge tinged brand of alternative rock towards the tail-end of 2016 with their debut EP, ‘Pansy’. Since then, the band have been playing shows up and down the country, steadily recruiting more and more followers to their growing fanbase.

But, that’s not all. The band have spent the latter half of 2017 working hard on their follow-up to ‘Pansy’ and their second EP overall. They’re like Basement meets Milk Teeth, and, with their equally rough and smooth cuts showing great potential on ‘Pansy’, you can bet EP number two is gonna push that even further. Jump on the bandwagon now. [ZR]

SPIRITBOX

FOR FANS OF:
Northlane / TesseracT / Periphery

Stepping away from the at times kooky avant-garde metal outfit iwrestledabearonce (who we haven’t heard a peep from since mid-2016), vocalist Courtney LaPlante and guitarist Mike Stringer not only became husband and wife, but also became married together through music by starting up a project of their own to not only start anew, but to take their technical and creative talents into a more personal direction.

With just the two of them at the helm of Spiritbox, writing and recording everything – essentially calling the shots completely – the duo put together and released one of the best EPs of the whole of 2017 back in October. With a great reception to the release from pretty much everywhere, and an increasing fanbase to boot, you’d only be conning yourself if you didn’t start binging on Spiritbox right away. [ZR]

THE ST. PIERRE SNAKE INVASION

FOR FANS OF:
Pulled Apart By Horses / Marmozets / Arcane Roots

They’ve been slogging it on the road for a few years now, but it’s about time that Bristol based troupe The St. Pierre Snake Invasion get what they deserve, and that’s your attentions. Their brand of alternative rock cut with some high octane and DIY-esque jagged punk rock is just too good not to bang your head to, and you can bet their appearance at the Lenmania all-dayer certainly pulled in a few new fans.

They’ve got a brand new album impending too, following-up from the band’s 2015 debut effort, ‘A Hundred Years A Day’, and they’ve been sharing a few file names online via Facebook, so we’re pretty certain that there’ll be some songs a-coming called ‘Brain Dead’, ‘Casanovacaine’, and some form of “mystery mix”. What better time is there to become a part of the fan invasion towards The St. Pierre Snake Invasion? Answer: None. [ZR]

SYLAR

FOR FANS OF:
Linkin Park / Cane Hill / Palisades

Coming in as one of the stronger contenders of the nu-metal revival that has boomed up in recent years, New York’s Sylar have brought to the table their splicing of nu-metal meets metalcore. Let’s call it nu-metalcore. Originally more of a borderline deathcore band with their first few EPs, across their two records ‘To Whom It May Concern’ and ‘Help!’, they really came into their own.

In May 2017, the band made their first visit over to UK shores with an appearance on the Slam Dunk Festival line-up, and they’re heading back over once again a little later this year to support metalcore giants, Of Mice & Men. You can bet there’s plenty more visits and a new album coming in the next year or two, but don’t con yourself and wait out on these lot. [ZR]

TIGRESS

FOR FANS OF:
Lower Than Atlantis / PVRIS / Mallory Knox

For those of you who aren’t at all familiar with Essex outfit Tigress, let’s quickly bring you up to speed. Initially a bit more of a pop-punk act a few years back, and originally called The Hype Theory, the band eventually started heading into darker and more mature territories. So, they changed their name to Tigress, and progressed forward with a new broodier (and, in our opinion, better) direction and identity.

In 2017, the band dropped their second EP ‘Like It Is’, which gave us all a 5-track snapshot into a band that clearly have their sights set firmly on a much bigger picture. With their social media channels recently updating us with some footage of them in the studio, it looks like we’re going to see how they’ll be carving out that vision for us all to see. Whether that’s another EP or a full-length we’re not sure of yet, but whatever it may be, we can’t wait to see the next step, and reckon it’ll be one that sees them stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of their more established peers. [ZR]

VANITY

Earlier this year, Vanity Draws Blood changed and reduced their name simply to Vanity, stating that no longer feel their original name is one they can relate to, and with a new chapter and new era to usher in, they wanted a refreshed name to accompany it. With it, they dropped their EP ‘Perspective // Empathy’, the second in their ‘Perspective’ EP series, and one that certainly saw a more melodic change in sound.

With a new name, Vanity undoubtedly feel like they have a new lease of life, and you can bet with their new identity and a sense of reinvigoration, they’ll be touring almost relentlessly throughout 2018. Not only that, but we bet there’ll be some new music before the year is out too. An album? Maybe. A new EP and the third ‘Perspective’ chapter? Maybe. Our fingers are crossed so tight for something. [ZR]

VARSITY

FOR FANS OF:
Issues / Hands Like Houses / Slaves (US)

It seems that though in recent years the R&Bcore style and sound (which sees a notable R&B influence and presence on a post-hardcore template) has become steadily more popular, mostly thanks to pioneering act Issues, it’s not something that has truly burst as a movement.

However, hailing from the New York suburbs, Varsity are certainly set to make a worthwhile impression and push on with bringing it to the forefront. With a few potholes staggering their progress, the band now have Nightfall Management behind them, the release of new single ‘Colorblind’ imminent, and a debut full-length record ready to go. [ZR]

VENOM PRISON

FOR FANS OF:
Whitechapel / Converge / Oathbreaker

British death metal outfit Venom Prison made a real surge throughout 2017, bagging themselves tour slots, performing at the Heavy Music Awards, being bumped into the line-up for the annual Bloodstock Open Air Festival, and getting plenty of regular major press attention from the likes of Kerrang!, Revolver, and Metal Hammer.

Sure, the bar is set pretty high already, but it also seems pretty clear that this is just the beginning for the snarling and vicious heavy hitters. They already have a opening support slot on the Trivium UK/European tour in March to look forward to, and, though it’s not certain just yet if a sophomore record and follow-up to 2016’s ‘Animus’ is on the cards just yet, you better start training your ears with their destructive pummelling just incase. [ZR]

YONAKA

Rough around the edges punk rock with a bit of a polished indie-pop twist in places, Brighton up-and-comers Yonaka seem to have everything in place now to start taking 2018 all for themselves. The band dropped their boisterous ‘Heavy’ EP in October, and it’s hard to not press that repeat button once the 5-tracks are all done.

Obviously that means that we want – nay, need more, and we think that’s exactly what Yonaka have in store for us this year. Their time on the road supporting the likes of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes has certainly seen them hone their skills on the live front too, so you’d best jump on the Yonaka bandwagon now before they reach the point where you struggle to nab tickets. [ZR]

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